What's Up with Christ Coming Down? - Revelation 19 - July 20, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – What’s Up with Christ Coming Down? – July 20, 2008

This is lesson three (3) in our series of study.

Our scripture is Revelation 19:6-9, 11-16, 19-21.

This week’s study is more pleasant than last week’s study. Most believers eagerly await the second coming of our LORD. We want HIM to come while we are alive because we do not want to experience death. I know my mother was hopeful that the LORD would come during her lifetime so she would not have to go through the death process.

But whether the LORD comes while we are alive or doesn’t, all believers will meet HIM one day. I have never experienced a near death experience but I have witnessed a person walking with JESUS before her earthly body had been pronounced dead by the doctor. In fact the lady (the lady was not my mother) was walking with the LORD about twenty-five (25) minutes before she was pronounced dead by the doctor.

JESUS gives us a clue in John 5:24:

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
I believe all born-again believers will exit their earth suit (body) moments before he or she ever experiences the death of their earth suit (body). What about children or unborn babies or mentally challenged when they die, if they have never prayed to receive CHRIST? In my opinion they have not reached the age of accountability and are with our LORD immediately.

I don’t know why I got into this but someone needs it.

Our lesson shifts from evil ruling to JESUS conquering evil, defeating those serving the antichrist, ruling and the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Let’s read Revelation 19:6-9:

Marriage of the Lamb Announced

6 Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters,[11] Rv 1:15; 14:2; Ezk 1:24; 43:2 and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying: Hallelujah[12] See note at Rv 19:1 —because our Lord God, the Almighty, has begun to reign! 7 Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory,[13] Mt 5:12 because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has prepared herself. 8 She was permitted to wear fine linen, bright and pure.[14] Rv 15:6; 19:14 For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.[15] Eph 2:10 9 Then he[16] Probably an angel; see Rv 17:1; 22:8–9 said to me, “Write: Blessed[17] Rv 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 20:6; 22:7,14 are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!”[18] Isaiah 25:6–8; Mt 26:29; Lk 13:29 He also said to me, “These words of God are true.”

John describes the sounds he hears. It is a mighty “Hallelujah” to announce the termination of evil and the rule of CHRIST. The citizens of heaven know what is about to happen because it is the long awaited event of the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” CHRIST’S wife, the church, is prepared for the event. She is given permission to wear fine linen, bright and pure.

The linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. At the moment we received CHRIST as our SAVIOR our sin was placed upon CHRIST and HIS righteousness was placed on us. The words “She was permitted to wear the fine linen ----“were used to show that the saints had not earned this righteousness but they were permitted to wear it. All our righteousness is the result of what CHRIST did for each believer.

I want to share something with you. I have been meditating on this whole process. As a male, it bothers me to think of me being a bride. Nothing against you ladies and I dearly love my bride of almost fifty (5) years but me a bride, I could not understand.
Anyway this is what I have been wrestling with - The church is the bride of CHRIST. This is not the brick and mortar church but the living church of true believers male and female. CHRIST is the groom and HE is marrying the church of which I am part since it is the living body. Through all of my questioning, the HOLY SPIRIT has been telling me to keep in mind that this is symbolic. I questioned why does this have to take place when every believer is already born-again and a member of GOD’S family. So, why this process? To the best of my ability, this is the answer I have received.

Ephesians 5:25-27 tells us that CHRIST died for the church, the body made up of living stones - You and me, male or female, who have been born-again, we form the true church, the bride.

Ephesians 5:25-27:
25 Husbands, love your wives,[10] Col 3:19; 1 Pt 3:7 just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 to make her holy, cleansing[11] Or having cleansed her in the washing of water by the word. 27 He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless.

This living body of true believers is saved and redeemed from sin and death by the precious blood shed by CHRIST. All believers are in the process of being saved and will not be fully saved or redeemed until all evil is conquered. Conquering Satan, all of evil and all who reject CHRIST is what we have been studying in our first two (2) lessons.

Ephesians 6:10-17:

Christian Warfare

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics[10] Or schemes, or tricks of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[11] Eph 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10 13 This is why you must take up the full armor[12] 1 Th 5:8 of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.[13] Ready to go tell others about the gospel 16 In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

This scripture in Ephesians is for now and throughout the ages to come until evil is finally defeated. All true believers are protected by the shed blood of JESUS. The true believers will remain faithful to our LORD in life or in death. Just as Abraham’s faith was tested when GOD asked him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering, deliverance did not come until the last moment. Abraham remained faithful to GOD’S command to the split second before sacrificing his son. Believers may be tested.

There is a body of true believers on earth who have witnessed the horrific evil events we studied earlier. They have remained faithful. We have some saints already in heaven. These saints are waiting for the complete destruction of evil. CHRIST will reveal Himself to the universe and every entity will know CHRIST is the Truth and the VICTOR. HE will conquer all evil. All lies will be dispelled and all believers will know it is time that the body of true believers to be made ONE with CHRIST. Marriage unites two (2) as ONE. However, before the marriage can take place, Satan and all evil must be conquered. No groom would allow his bride to be threatened by evil. There is unfinished business.

Let’s take it another step. Remember we are in the process of being saved. When the living church (all true believers) becomes one with CHRIST, they are united with HIM as ONE in marriage. Therefore, since CHRIST will not be judged, neither will believers because they are ONE with HIM in marriage. We could consider the moment we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR as the beginning of our betrothal to CHRIST. The Jewish marriage was a two (2) stage process - A long betrothal and then the marriage.

John 5:24: This is JESUS talking while HE is still upon earth.

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

So being the bride of CHRIST is a wonderful experience to look forward to even though you are a male. It is symbolic but essential.

Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb. Who are these? All true believers are invited. They have remained faithful, they have on the right garment for the occasion and their lamps are burning bright because they did not give out of oil of the HOLY SPIRIT as recorded in Matthew 25:1-13:

The Parable of the 10 Virgins

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins[1] Or bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them. 4 But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5 Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 “Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “The sensible ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.’ 10 “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 “Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘• I assure you: I do not know you!’ 13 “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.[2] Other mss add in which the Son of Man is coming.

NOW FOR THE GREAT REVEAL!!!!!!!

Let’s read Revelation 19:11-16:

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened,[22] Rv 4:1; 11:19; 15:5 and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True,[23] Rv 3:14 and in righteousness He judges and makes war.[24] Rv 16:7; 19:2; Ps 9:8; 96:13 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself.[25] Rv 2:17; 3:12 13 He wore a robe stained with blood,[26] Or a robe dipped in [27] Isaiah 63:1–6 and His name is called the Word of God.[28] Jn 1:1–5; Heb 4:12 14 The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 From His mouth came a sharp[29] Other mss add double-edged sword, so that with it He might strike the nations.[30] Isaiah 11:4; Rv 1:16; 2:12; 2 Th 2:8 He will shepherd[31] Or rule them with an iron scepter.[32] Ps 2:9; Rv 12:5 He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God,[33] Rv 16:19; 14:19 the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS[34] Dt 10:17; Dn 2:47; 1 Tm 6:15; Rv 17:14

CHRIST came the first time as the sacrificial Lamb. This time HE is coming as the victor as evidenced by HIM riding a white horse. This is exactly what the Jews wanted to see when HE came the first time. Now it is happenings. HE comes now as judge.
HIS eyes were like a fiery flame. Fire is always a symbol of cleansing. Only those who are not redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and covered in HIS righteousness cannot stand the fiery cleansing of the eyes of CHRIST. CHRIST is all powerful and all knowing. HIS eyes are searching for any righteous heart but in the process as HIS eyes fall upon the unrighteous heart that person will be consumed.

The heavenly army is also mounted on white horses and wearing pure white linen. These are symbols of victory over sin and death and clothed in the righteousness of CHRIST.

Verse 14 tells us the armies in heaven appear with HIM. Do the true believers make up this heavenly army?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

They are not to grieve hopelessly for the dead

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

We believe that at the second coming of CHRIST that those of us who have departed this earth will return to earth with CHRIST and will receive our glorified bodies like CHRIST’S body. The true believers who are alive at this moment will also receive their glorified bodies. We will all be taken into heaven. Will we all be in this heavenly army? I do not know but it is exciting to consider.

CHRIST is wearing many crowns. These are crowns of victory. The beast had crowns but CHRIST has crowns that reveal that HE has conquered these evil beings. A conquering king would often wear the crown of the king he had conquered. CHRIST has conquered them all and is wearing their crowns.

CHRIST has a name written that only HE knows. Many have speculated what this name could be. Many think it is a name the Jews would not utter. In verse 11 it gives us the names of “Faithful and True”, in verse 13 “Word of GOD” and in verse 16 “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” This special name is not from human knowledge or understanding but seems to be of heavenly origin. It is likely a name that fully expresses the fullness and completeness of CHRIST.

CHRIST is wearing a blood stained robe. Many scholars have debated whose blood is on the robe. I think it is the shed blood of CHRIST. It is HIS shed blood that conquers all sin and all evil. It is HIS blood that washed us white as snow. When we face evil, we, as humans, claim the blood of CHRIST for our protection. HIS blood is all powerful and all cleansing.

John describes a sword coming from the mouth of CHRIST. That is the Word of GOD. At this moment there is no question that the Word of GOD is all powerful and true as described in:

Hebrews 4:12:

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word is all powerful and HE will rule with an iron scepter. An iron scepter was used to defend and to kill. The Word will completely rid earth of evil. This includes those who worship the beasts. They had their opportunity to repent but had chosen to believe a lie rather than embrace the truth. Their blood will be shed as symbolized with the wine press. The wine press crushes the grapes. So those who reject CHRIST will be crushed as well as all evil.

There is no question WHO is doing this; it is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Let’s read Revelation 19:19-21:

19 Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies[36] Rv 16:13–14 gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against His army. 20 But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed signs on his authority,[37] Lit signs before him by which he deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.[38] Rv 13:13–17 Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.[39] Mt 5:22; Mk 9:43; Rv 20:10,14; 21:8 21 The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

CHRIST has already defeated Satan on the cross through HIS shed blood and HIS resurrection. HIS blood cleanses all believers from sin and conquered death. What CHRIST did for believers was to remove the barriers preventing the miracle of rebirth from taking place within the hearts, lives and spirit of believers. Once we, as humans, accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR the HOLY SPIRIT indwells us and confirms the fact we are GOD’S children. Rebirth begins the sanctification process of being saved. All believers have direct access to GOD, THE FATHER.

All believers will exchange their earthly bodies through death or the rapture for their new glorified bodies. This will be done at the second coming of CHRIST, whether we are alive or have departed this life through death. If through death then we will wait in heaven to return with CHRIST. Satan and all of his followers will still be roaming the universe. In order for heaven to be heaven, Satan and his followers must be once and forever defeated. This scripture is the beginning of the process of the final defeat of Satan and all his followers.

VICTORY! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has conquered all gathered to resist HIM.

See the arrogance the evil one has setup in face of certain defeat. He will bring all who follow him to this event to be destroyed. Satan is out to defeat and destroy humans, yet, many follow him and listen to his lies. The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (false prophet) were cast alive into the “lake of fire.” Then those remaining were killed.

It seems that CHRIST is giving those remaining a last chance to accept HIM after they see that HE has defeated the beasts. It is obvious they had been deceived and believed a lie. Now truth stands before them. It seems that there is a pause. Is this an opportunity for salvation? GOD’S desire is that no one will end up in Hell. But we all have a choice and that choice is now.

Then the final blow was struck with the destruction of those remaining.

GOD gives us every opportunity to accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR. If you have not accepted HIM as your SAVIOR, do so right now by asking HIM to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to come into your life. HE will save you in the twinkling of the eye or sooner. If you have a Bible, get it and begin reading the Book of John. If you do not have a Bible, then, get one and read the Book of John. Pray and ask CHRIST to reveal truth to you and to lead you to a church where you can grow and mature spiritually. Pray for a faithful Christian who can join with you to study GOD’S Word.